Piston and piston packing



Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PI'STON AND VPISTON PACKING 1 John L. Harrah, Erie, Pa.

Application November 7, 1949, Serial No. 125,941 1.4 claims.. (c1. 309-45) This invention relates broadly to. piston packing construction and more particularly to improyementin piston packing construction adapted primarily for usein internal combustion engines.V

.An important. object o f this invention resides in the .provision ofnoyel means. for eftecting amore accurate and uniform control of the. blow-by and the compression pressure of internal .combustion engines..

vAnother .object of the mvention residesin the. provision of means for removing the oil from thecylinder walls.. returning same and. retainine itin the crankase.

o IIjhese and other objeotsand advantages ofthe improved piston packing construction Will, however, hereinafterbe more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of. this 'application and wherein like numerals are employed ,to designate like parts throughout, I, haveshown one embodiment of my invention-v Figure l is a front plan view yof the piston packing.

Figure 2 is a front plan view of a cylindrical piston especially constructed to receive the present piston packing.

Figure 3 is an end plan view of thev back member of the packing.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the back member showing inwardly and outwardly extending offsets.

Y Eigures 5, 6, and 7, respectively, are plan views of the laminae employed in this particular construction.

.Figure 8 is a. fragmentary front plan View showing the overlapping 0f the ends 0f the lamina@ and also dovetailing of the inwardly and outwardly extending offsets as shown in Figure 4.

`Figure 9 is a likened end plan view of the laminae shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, respectively.y y

Figure 10 is. a top plan view of the piston on line 2-2 of Figure 11. l y

lFigure 11 is a cross sectionalview of the pistonrv and the. packing.

.Although it is to be expressly understood .that thepiston packing Vherein described with. the .provision of laminae is not limited to such construction, as provision is also made for thepacking .to be made of similar one piece sections. as shown in. Figure 1.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown.

a piston packing, generallyindicated at numeral 3, associated with the provided packing space 4.

'The piston 5 is of any improved construction having .the space lly especially provided for receiv- 2 ing the piston packing 3 andall Will hereinafter be more fully described.

(l) The piston, generally represented by numeral 5, isof one piece, cylindrical construe tion, having open end Wrist pin bosses, skirt p0rtion -I, and' head portion Ill.

(2) The circumferential, and unobstructed space 4, extending between 'the outer underneath surface of said head portion Hl, and the inwardly extending shoulder of the piston skirt l, indicated by lines and numerals Ill-IS, in Figure 2, is especially provided to receive the improved packing means 3.

(3.) As it will be noted in the drawings. in Figures 2 and 3, the sides of the skirt portion. I are cu-t away from the wrist pin boss sides. The purpose for this is to. allow the thrust face sides; of the skirt l, to be placed closer to and to contact the cylinder walls in a straight line.

(4): The construction of this. piston is designed, primarily, to receive the improved detachable piston packing or packings 3, and toA eliminate the use of rings and ring grooves of the conventional type pistons.

(51) lIn practice a piston constructed in accordance with the invention has been found to be. highly efcient. IThe weight of the piston is considerably reduced and at the. same time the. piston has the advantage of being capable of fully withstanding the wear to` which it is. subjected to, especially, with the elimination of the conventional type piston rings and grooves.

Referring to the packing 3 as shown in the drawings'it will be noted that it includes a back member 6, having laminae l, 8., and 9 either welded or by other suitable fastening means, sub.-

stantiallyand securely laminated onto and extending parallel to said back member 6..

Said back member l is of a thin one piece ilat semi-circular construction. vEach of the outermost ends having an inwardly and outwardly extending oisets llt-I5 for the purpose of dovetailing.

The parallel sides IB-ll of said back .member 6 are formed to extend upwardly and being so proportioned so as tov be snuglyv received in the inside surfaces of the provided space 4 of the piston neck, indicated by lines and numerals l8r-i9.. Said sides of the back member 6 to extend parallel and adjacent to the inside surfaces of said piston neck 4.

Each of the laminas 1, 8, and 9y are also of thin flat one `piece semi-circular construction. Each off the parallelA outer edges of each ofthe laminae are formed to extend upwardly. An

equal number of the upwardly extending edges to slant outward and upwardly and the remainder to slant outward and downwardly. The slant of each of the laminae is illustrated in the cross sectional view in Figure 11 and indicated by lines and numerals 2li-2 I. For the sake of brevity the slanting edges of the laminae will be hereinafter referred to as lupwardly slanting fins 20 and downwardly slanting fins as 2 I The fiat space 22 between the upwardly extending edges of the laminae is slightly cut away to allow overlapping of the ends of the ns 23-24. The purpose of the overlapping ends is to prevent leakage of the blow-by and the compression pressure between the sections II, I2, and I3. Overlapping the fins also prevents oil from entering the combustion chamber.

lIhus assembled-the semi-circular laminae 1, 8, and 9 are securely fastened to and extend parallel to the semi-circular back member Said back members 6 are positioned circumferentially around said :provided space 4 of said piston neck 5. Said ofi-sets III-I .are dovetailedY as each section II, I2, and I3 communicates with each other. The slight cut away ends 23-24 of the ns also are overlapped while in this position.

'Ihe piston packing 3 is constructed of spring steel or other suitable material assuring a slight flexibility in the fins 2li-2i as they contact and rub against the cylinder walls. The upwardly extending ns have a slight flexibility so the downward pressure from the combustion chamber will cause their closer contact with the cylinder walls. These ns would, of course, be known as the compression fins.

The downwardly extending fins 2l have a slight flexibility so they can scrape the oil from the cylinder walls back toward the crankcase. These ns would be known as the oil ns.

As the fins wear against the cylinder walls it would naturally sharpen the edges which vwill cause a tighter fit while contacting and rubbing against the cylinder walls.

Because of the differences in piston construction, especially where the packing is received, it is necessary to construct this packing in twoor more sections. In this application I have shown the illustrative employment of three sections Il,

I2, and I3, as shown in Figure 10.

While on the other hand, pistons constructed with removable packing sections `would require packing comprising only one circumferential section.

. The pistons constructed with the removable packing sections would allow the top portion I0, of the piston to be removable and thereby allowing the said packing carrying section to be removed and replaced from the toprof the motor.

For these and other reasons itis to be understood that the illustrative construction shown may be modified in various respects without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and it will be understood that it is my intention to include all such modifications in the scope of the appended claims,

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a piston packing, comprising semi-circular laminae and semi-circular back members; said back members being of substantially thin flat one piece construction and whose ends are o-set for the purpose of dovetailing; outside parallel edges of said back members being formed to extend inwardly at ninety degree angles and to extend parallel and adjacent to the inside sur- 4 faces of said piston neck; said laminae of substantially thin flat one piece construction whose outside parallel edges are formed to extend upwardly, an equal number of said upwardly extending edges to slant outward and upwardly, the remaining edges to slant outward and downwardly; the end space between the upwardly extending edges of said laminae to be slightly cut away for the purpose of overlapping the ends of said edges; said laminae are securely and firmly laminated onto said Iback members thereby forming upwardly and downwardly slanting lfins which form the compression and oil ns of said piston packing.

2. In a piston packing, comprising circular laminae yand circular back members; said back member being of substantially thin flat one piece construction and whose ends are off-set for the purpose of dovetailing; the outside parallel edges of said back members being formed to extend inwardly at right anglesand to extend parallel and adjacent to the inside surfaces of said piston neck; said laminae of substantially thin at one piece construction whose parallel outside edges are formed `to extend upwardly, an equal number of said upwardly extending edges to slant outward and upwardly, the equal remaining edges to slant outward and downwardly; said laminae are securely and rmly laminated onto said back members, thereby forming upwardly and downwardly slanting ns; said laminae and back members constructed of spring steel or other Suitable material assuring a slight flexibility in said fins; the upwardly extending fins having a slight iiexibility forms the compressionfns and the downwardly extending fins having -a slight exibility forms the oil ns; rsaid exibility oi said fins assures a more accurate and uniform control of the blow-by and the compression pressure and also retains the motor oil in the crankcase as they contact Aand rub against the cylinder walls. 3. In a piston packing, comprising a back member with right angular inwardly extending edges and o-sets at each end for the purpose of dovetailing; said back member having protruding projections -being so proportioned to form substantial fins; said ns being so positioned to form compression and oil ns; said compression fins for the purpose of controlling the blow-'by and compression pressure of internal combustion engines, said oil fins for the purpose of scraping the oil down the cylinder walls toward the crankcase; said ns having a slight exibility to assure a more accurate and uniform control of the blowby and compression pressure and to retain the oil in the crankcase as they contact and rub against the cylinder walls.

` 4. In a piston packing, comprising a circular back member; said back member having outwardly extending substantially thin projecting fins; said fins being so proportioned to form theu required means fora more accurate'and uniform control of the blow-by and compression-pressureof internal combustion engines-and 'to retain the motor oil in the crankcase as said fins contac and rub against the cylinder walls.

5. In a piston packingycomprising a substantially thin circular back member; said back member having outwardly extending substantiallyengines and to retain the motor oil inthe crank-'" bers; said back member being of uniformlyth'in,

one piece construction and whose ends are o iset for the purpose of dovetailing; the outside edges of said back members being formed to extend inwardly and at approximate right anglesV to said back member, and when assembled said edges to extend parallel and adjacent to the inside surfaces of the space provided which extends circumferentially between said top and skirt portions; said laminae of uniformly thin, one piece construction and whose parallel outside edges are formed to extend upwardly, a number of upwardly extending edges to slant outward and upwardly, and a number of said edges to slant outward and downwardly; said laminae are securely and substantially laminated on to said back members, thereby forming upwardly and downwardly slanting iins; 'the upwardly extending ns forming the compression ns and the downwardly extending onesforming the oil 'lns.

'7. In combination, comprising a p-iston of uniformly thick cylindrical construction, having wrist pin bosses, skirt and head por-tions and a detachable packing or packings; said piston having an upper and lower portion forming the head and skirt sections; suicient and unobstructed space extending circumferentially between said head and skirt sections .to receive said detachable packing or packings; said packing or packings comprising a back member having upwardly and downwardly extending ns; said packing or packings being so proportioned so as to be snugly received in the space provided between said head and skirt sections.

8. In combination, the herein described piston and packing for internal combustion engines, the same consisting of packing and a piston of substantially thick, cylindrical construction, provided respectively with wrist pin bosses, head and skirt sections; the upper periphery of said .piston having suiiicient space provided between said head and skirt sections to substantially receive said packing means; said packing comprising a substantially thin, semi-circular back member,

having uniformly extending upwardly and downwardly extending ns being so proportioned so as to be correctly placed in the cylinders of the internal combustion engines.

9. The herein described piston and packing for internal combustionY engines, consists of a piston of substantially thick, cylindrical construction, comprising wrist pin bosses, cylindrical cut away skirt, and a flat circular head portion; said skirt portion having an upwardly extending hollow neck portion being provided especially to receive the said packing; the top of said hollow neck being closed with the head portion being located thereon; the packing consists of a back member with upwardly and downwardly extending ns, said ns being so proportioned so as to -be placed in the cylinders of the internal combustion engines.

10. The herein described piston and packing :for internal. combustion engines, the saine consisting of 'a l piston ofy substantially thick icyiindricaL-construction, having a detachable. head, wrist pin.;bosses, and askirt section;:said piston having unobstructed, `and circumferentially extending space, extending between said head and skirt sections, and being provided especially to receive an improved form-of piston packing; said packing of thev class described consisting .of a back member with a series of laminae being securely and rmly fastened on to said back member, and being so proportioned so as to be placed in the cylinders of internal combustion engines.

11. The herein described piston and packing for internal combustion engines, the same consisting of packing means, and a piston of substantially thick, cylindrical construction, having wrist pin bosses, detachable head and skirt sections; said piston having sufficient and unobstructed circumferentially extending space between the shoulder of said skirt section and the outer underneath surface of said detachable head to receive said packing means; said packing means consisting of a back member of semicircular construction, and being so proportioned so as to be snugly received in said unobstructed space; said back member having outwardly projecting fins extending upwardly and downwardly to form the required means for a more accurate and uniform control of the blow-by and the compression pressure of the internal combustion engines and to retain the motor oil in the crankcase as the said fins contact and rub against the cylinder walls; said piston packing removable from said piston by removing said detachable head from said piston by removing conventional type fasteners or locking means.

12. In combination, a piston body and a piston packing; said piston packing of one piece circumferential construction having a slot extending therethrough; said packing having a back and upwardly and downwardly extending fins;

said upwardly extending ns forming the re-` quired means for control of the compression pressure and the blow-by of internal combustion engines; the downwardly extending fins forming the required means for returning the motor oil to and retaining same in the crankcase; the angular edge of said back member and the upwardly and downwardly extending fins being so proportioned so as to be suitably engaged around the space provided on the upper periphery of said piston body.

13. A piston packing of circular construction, being die cast of suitable spring metal and having a back portion with outwardly extending edges; said back portion having upwardly and downwardly extending fin projections communicating therewith; said lback portion with outwardly extending edges and upwardly and downwardly extending n projections being so proportioned so as to be suitably received on the upper periphery of trunk type piston bodies and properly received in the cylinders of internal combustion engines.

14. In combination, a cylindrical piston body and a piston packing; said piston packing being die cast of a suitable packing alloy and comprising a back member with upwardly and do-wnwardly projecting ns communicating therewith; said cylindrical piston of the trunk Itype construction whose upper periphery is so cut away 7 and `proportioned to properly receive said back UNITED STATESPATENTS member y'with upwardly vand downwardly project- Number. Name y Date ingns andreach being so proportioned so as to 3937177 Rogers.; NG 20 1388 -b e correctly-received in the cylinders of combus- 733,665 Lemp July, 1903 *11011 engnes f 6 934,125 Young 1 sept. 14, 1909 v 'l JOHN L-HARRAH 984,250 YWiesner -1 Feb. 14, 1911 20 A lREFERENCES CITED 1'328182 Mm" Jan 13. 1.9 The -following references are of record in the 1 FOREIGN PATENTS I fle-Of this patenti 10 Number Country Date 6,905 Great Britain of 1905 

